We will tell you interesting facts about Vietnam in this article.
- Capital: Hanoi
- Language: Vietnamese
- Population: 82 million persons.
- Religion: Buddhism
- Currency: dong (1 dong = 10 Hao = 100 sous)
General description
Vietnam one of the countries occupying east part of the Indochina peninsula which is often compared to “a balcony overlooking the Pacific Ocean”. The imagination draws a fine picture: tropics, palm trees, a terrace overlooking the sea, a fresh sea breeze and a cup of strong coffee. Real paradise on the earth!
Vietnam occupies the most east part of the peninsula of Indochina. In the West borders on Laos (border length – 1 555 km) and Kambodzhoy (982 km), in the north – on China (1 281 km). In the east and the South Vietnam is washed by waters of the South China Sea. The total area of the country – 329 566 sq.km. The territory of the country represents the narrow strip extended from the North to the south. In the north the uplands Yunnan with the highest point of the country – the mountain Fangshipang (3 143 m), crossed by the valley of the river Songka (Red) are located. To the south are a chain of Annamsky mountains. Parallel to her from the North the narrow coastal plain to the south extends. In the south the flat territory of the delta of the Mekong River lies. Besides, Vietnam has a huge number of islands and 2 big archipelagoes Hoangsha and Chyongsha and the coast 3260 km long.
The distinguished culture of a bronze age of Don the Dream originates in the III century B.C. From I to 6th centuries AD the southern part of the territory of modern Vietnam was the territory of the Indian empire Funan which has left behind remarkable monuments of art and architecture. The empire of Hindus Champa was created around that place where there is modern Da Nang, in the second half of the 2nd century and has extended to the south to the territory known as Nha Trang, by the 8th century now. The empire existed partly thanks to attacks on the neighboring territories. Chinese have occupied the delta of the Red River in the 2nd century, and their thousand-year board noted by the persistent resistance of Vietnamese and constant revolts has ended in 938 AD when Ngo Kuen has broken the Chinese troops at Bach Den’s river.
Within several next centuries Vietnamese reflected periodic attacks from China and moved apart the borders to the south to the delta of the Red River, being settled generally in the delta of Mekong. In 1858 the French and Spanish troops stormed Da Nang after several missionaries have been killed. A year later Saigon has been taken. By 1867 France has taken the southern Vietnam which became the French colony of Kochinchin.
Communist guerrillas under Ho Chi Minh’s leadership have begun to show resistance to the French dominion after World War II. The declaration of independence of Vietnam adopted by Ho Chi Minh in 1945 has caused a war aggravation with France which has ended with defeat of the French army at Dyen Byen Foo in 1954.
According to the decision of the Geneva conference in 1954 Vietnam has been temporarily divided into two zones (the communistic North and the anti-communistic pro-American South). Political and ideological confrontation has soon turned into armed struggle that has led to input to the country of armed forces of the USA and other countries in 1965. The Parisian peace agreements signed in 1973 have provided the immediate termination of the armed actions and meant withdrawal of troops of the USA from the country. As a result of April 30, 1975 Saigon has surrendered to communistic troops.
Having got “out of the frying pan into the fire”, having hardly recovered from destructive war with the USA, Vietnam has been forced to show resistance to groups of bandits from the Khmer groups along border with Kambodzhoy. As a result of long military collisions China has supported Cambodia; armed conflict continued until the UN has taken the initiative to sign the contract under which Vietnam has withdrawn the troops from Cambodia in 1989. Though provocations periodically continued from red Khmers, for the first time during all the time after World War II Vietnam officially wasn’t at war with one country. The end of Cold War and the collapse of the USSR in 1991 have given the chance to Vietnam and the West to plan ways of rapprochement.
In July, 1995 the USA has resumed diplomatic relations with Hanoi though originally in 1999 Hanoi has refused to sign the trade agreement with the USA (it has been signed only in the following). The USA, in turn, speaks about normalization of the relations between the countries, but after long years of alienation still there is too much self-criticism, attempts of carrying out arm-twisting policy and groans about the vain victims against the background of constantly appearing sentimental movies about war. At the beginning in Vietnam there was something like a post-war economic boom then there has occurred some recession which has captured all region and overcome by means of foreign investments in the nineties. Now the country develops steadily that gives the grounds to think of it as about one more Asian state with strong economy.
Language
Vietnamese (kinkh) is an official language in the country though in different regions there are dialects. There are tens of various languages which speak various ethnic minorities; besides, in some parts of the country talk on Khmer and Laotian. The most common languages – Vietnamese and Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin), English, French, Russian (almost in the same order).
Religion
The dominating religion in Vietnam is the Buddhism in which some lines of Confucianism and Taoism are combined. About 10% of the population of the country Catholics. In Vietnam the Protestantism and Islam is also presented. Besides, in Vietnam there is the unique religion – Caodaiism.
Four greatest philosophies and religions have created spiritual life of the Vietnamese people: Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism and Christianity. Within centuries Confucianism, Taoism and the Buddhism intertwined with folk Chinese beliefs, ancient Vietnamese animistic views therefore the fact that Dzhao is called There was created (or “Triple religion”).
Art
Treat the developed art forms: traditional painting on silk; the eclectic form of theater including drama theater, puppet theater, music and dances; religious sculpture; varnish miniatures and ceramics.
Climate
There are no good and bad seasons for visit of Vietnam. When in one region too damp, cold or iznuryayushche hot, there is always a place where it is solar and pleasant. In the south generally two seasons: the period of rains (from May to November, the biggest humidity – from June to August) and a dry season (from December to April). The hottest and damp period proceeds from February to May. On the central coast it is dry from May to October and is damp – from December to February. Mountain areas are much more cool, than lowlands, and during the winter period of temperature can be very low. In the north – two seasons: cool damp winter (from November to April) and hot summer (from May to October). In the northern and central regions during the period between July and November there is a probability of floods.
Because of hot and damp weather Vietnamese not so often put on full dresses. All the year round Vietnamese put on in summer clothes – thin and light. In December and in January in northern provinces we recommend to put on warm clothes. In some temples, pagodas, the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, the royal palace in Hue tourists are recommended to put on long trousers and shirts with a long sleeve. Local currency and banks Monetary unit – the Vietnamese dong. Approximate course: 1 USD=15,798 VND. The most popular currency – the American dollar: he is accepted for payment everywhere. If you pay with traveler’s checks, and also credit cards of VISA, Master and JCB, from you will take commission collecting.
We hope to you article was pleasant. Thanks for attention.